How Bill Would Track Lottery Proceeds

By Dave Jordan, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Many communities threw their support behind the state lottery, mainly because it would pump more money into school districts, but three years after its launch many areas have yet to see a dime.

There's a system in place that distributes lottery revenue on a weighted basis, instead of a per capita basis, but that funding formula could soon be a thing of the past.

House Bill 1584 would level the playing field for schools when it comes to lottery proceeds. It was authored by Representative Eddie Fields (R-District 36) after he learned of a major discrepancy.

"They're about 40 school districts in the state right now that are currently not receiving any lottery funds through the formula," Representative Fields said.

Some school districts rank higher on a state evaluation scale. Areas perceived as having a lot of money don't qualify for lottery funds.

The formula was so complex that many schools didn't even know they were being shortchanged and not even Representative Fields, who sits on the education committee, was able to find out how much money was going to each district.

"This bill would make it more transparent as to what money is being put into common education and the superintendent could say, ‘Well, this is our check for this month,'" Representative Fields said.

Fields would like to see 100 percent of the lottery money distributed on a per capita basis to all schools.

State superintendent Sandy Garrett said through a spokeswoman that she supports the new funding system this bill would create. The lottery has raised about $250 million for Oklahoma schools.